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Borbon likes Texas, but wants another shot at Majors

Borbon likes Texas, but wants another shot at Majors

ROUND ROCK, Texas -- In each of the past two seasons, the Rangers have traded a "fallen" prospect at the July 31 Trade Deadline. Triple A Round Rock outfielder Julio Borbon could be the next in line.

With the Deadline 10 days away, Borbon is grateful for the opportunities he's had with the Rangers but would not be against getting dealt if it meant seeing significant time in the Major Leagues. Borbon, 25, who was the Rangers' Opening Day center fielder in 2010-11, is batting .296 with seven home runs, 17 RBIs, 51 runs, and 17 stolen bases this year, all at Round Rock.

"If they feel like I'm a piece where I'm not needed at the moment and they'd like to go after something else, that's what they decide," Borbon said. "Obviously, my biggest goal is to play at the big league level. If that's what it took, that's out of my hands, but I wouldn't be able to tell you honestly how much I have a desire to go anywhere else because the Rangers have given me a pretty good opportunity as far as playing. All I can do is focus on the moment right here and give everything I have."

Two years ago, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, a catcher who had played 191 games with the Rangers from 2007 to 2009 but only two in 2010, was traded to the Red Sox at the Trade Deadline. Saltalamacchia now leads all big league catchers with 17 home runs. Chris Davis, who was dealt by the Rangers to the Orioles a day before the Trade Deadline last year, is batting .260 with 15 home runs for Baltimore this season.

"Coming up, I saw guys like Chris Davis and [former Rangers catcher Taylor] Teagarden, guys who are at the big league level," Borbon said. "It's tough to be able to control things where if you were with this team, you'd probably be up or what would happen if you were with that team. I just have to really enjoy myself and I think that's where the best of Julio Borbon comes out, whether I'm in Double-A or the big leagues."